Description:

Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec, ca. 1200 BCE. A magnificent green jade blood letting piercer depicting a bird head with a pointed, piercing beak emerging from its mouth. Unlike later cultures, most notably the Maya, no representations of bloodletting have been found in Olmec art. However, jade and ceramic perforators as well as representations of such paraphernalia on stelae provide evidence of its practice among the Olmec. In addition, a translation of the Epi-Olmec culture's La Mojarra Stela 1 tells of the ruler's ritual bloodletting. In addition to representing this curious ancient practice, this piece is a stupendous example of fine carving technique, created from an inherently beautiful piece of jade boasting breathtaking pale blue-green hues! Size: 4.125" L (10.5 cm)

Provenance: ex private Salter collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#125671

  • Condition: Repaired from two pieces.

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August 3, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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